[DianeS]

I attended my first meeting at my agency last night (which incidentally counted as my first 3 training hours!). I was astonished to find out that there are NO state-mandated training classes beyond CPR and First Aid--no series of specific classes like I hear all the other states talking about. My agency requires a 5-hour foster "core" class, and a 5-hour adoption "core" class, but I can fill the rest of the required 32 hours with training on just about ANYTHING.

I can take classes through the YMCA, or the hospital, or a local parent's group. My classes can be on preventing juvenile crime, or on positive parent-child interactions, or I can read any book on the topic of adoping, fostering, or parenting. Of course the agency offers specific issues classes free of charge, so most people will choose to attend those rather than paying some other group, but why in the world aren't those classes mandatory?

I'm stunned... I don't mind doing my own research on the "best" types of training I need to get for myself, in fact I've already done enough that if I write out the book reports I probably already have my time in...BUT not everyone is like that.

And the types of training you take don't necessarily have any bearing on the types of kids you can take in. You can take all your hours at the hospital learning about respiratory disorders, but the state is OK with you then fostering a child with a behavior disorder.

It's wild out here... anybody else run in to this kind of unusual training information?

[Lanny]

Are you in Mississippi? that sounds like what we have been through !! we went to one class and they cancelled them and said that they will give us credit its nuts !! I would rather have gone to class we enjoyed it allot God Bless Lanny

[DianeS]

Lanny, we're in Colorado. I've tallied it up and I already have 45 hours of training if I just write up reports on the books I've already read--not to mention the ones I've ordered but haven't received yet.

I think I'll go get some training in person, though, and save the book reports for in case I have to recertify after I have a placement. I really feel like the more information I have going into this, the better.

Credit for classes they wouldn't let you take, huh? Don't they understand that GOOD parents want the knowledge?!??

[Mellie]

Thats crazy. We have learned soooo much in our Mapps class, the really interesting thing was the posative parenting instead of reactive parenting its like one step off of the way we were brought up. Making it goals to work for to gain special things (ice cream shop etc) instead of planning special things and taking them away. Makes kids accountable for their actions every day and still lets them "live" not stuck in their room grounded forever.

In our state even after your licensed (foster care) you have to maintain your license with CE classes each year (a required amount of hours). Can you search out parenting classes elsewhere, through community centers, local RTC centers or anything?

Heck, I'll copy my Mapps Chapters and mail them to ya (if you don't mind my sarcastic notes to my husband about the idiot in our class in the margins )

What books have you read, we had a reading list for our class?

Mel
melliej10@hotmail.com

[DianeS]

Mellie,

Yes, there are tons of classes I can choose from, and from reading all these foster care and adoption forums I have a good idea of what I need to seek out and find classes on. (Positive discipline, attachment problems, behavior issues, ADD/ADHD and the issues that can be confused with them, navigating the state system, etc).

I have already read "Adopting the Hurt Child" "Parenting the Hurt Child" "Our Own" "20 things Adopted Children wish their Adoptive Parents Knew" "Keys to Parenting the Adopted Child" "12 Behavior Issues In Foster Care", um, I can't remember the titles of the first ones I got from the library, there are at least 2 more books in that list. I also have on-order: "Parenting with Love and Logic" "Toddler Adoption: The Weaver's Craft" and "When Love is Not Enough". And I get more recommendations almost every day!

I also have been promised the PATH lesson papers from a friend of mine who was a foster parent in another state.

I guess I'm most worried about the people who come into this thinking "a stable home and love is all they need". The guidance on what they need to learn seems very lacking. I guess I'll wait and see! I'm very glad to have people like you-all, and a forum where I can hear other people's problems and hopefully get a little prepared before something like that happens to me.

[zookeeper]

We are in OH and we didn't find our training very valuable although we were required to attend for 36 hours and they had a broad list of topics to cover, we didn't feel we got much out of the classes. I don't know if its because we've parented before or because of our backround. Hubby was a middle school teacher for 10 yrs. and still teaches Sunday school and I was a police officer with a psychology degree. We've read at least a dozen of the books mentioned and found them to be much more helpful. I wonder if the agency doesn't have a lot to do with determining what they teach. I wish our classes had been more "detailed" like the books but one of the problems was that some of the people had no parenting experience while others were old hands at it. Also, some people who had parented before but never adopted or fostered had parenting styles or believes that were not condusive to parenting a hurt child, ie. spanking, yelling, "do it now because I said so" etc.

[Lanny]

YOU ARE RIGHT !! we would love to have the classes!!! When we went to our first class we were given a PATH workbook but we have had to find books and find the answers. the only thing that our "social worker " and I use the term lightly said was that we would go over it when he comes to our home to inspect it and we "had better have the answers" and he will come to our house when ever it is convenient for him !!! we have heard that if we feel the need we can attend classes in January . As first time parents we will definitely do this !!! thanks for telling about all the books you have read I see a few that I have not read !!! God Bless Lanny